What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
neighbouring
Example
The neighbouring countries have a long history of trade and cultural exchange. [neighbouring: adjective]
Example
I live in a neighbourhood that has several neighbouring parks. [neighbouring: present participle]
nearby
Example
There is a grocery store nearby where we can buy some snacks. [nearby: adverb]
Example
We went for a walk in the nearby park after lunch. [nearby: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nearby is more commonly used than neighbouring in everyday language. Nearby is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while neighbouring is less common and refers to a specific relationship between two places or regions.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between neighbouring and nearby?
Neighbouring is more formal than nearby, which is more commonly used in informal contexts. However, both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context.